What is Asbestos?

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral. Its natural properties, including the ability to withstand high levels of heat and electrical current, were the main reasons that it was used in the construction of homes and buildings for many years.

Asbestos is no longer used in construction because it can seriously damage your health and can, in the worst cases, kill.

Are you at risk?

Asbestos does not present a danger to your health provided that it is in good condition.

DIY activities such as sanding and drilling may disturb and possibly damage products containing asbestos releasing fibres into the air that could put you and others at risk.

If you think you may have asbestos in your home, are worried you may have disturbed asbestos and would like some advice or reassurance please contact

Colin Knox
Gas Safety and Asset Administrator
Halton Housing Trust
Foundry Lane
Widnes
WA8 8TZ

Tel: 0151 510 5077
Mobile: 07940 021602
Email: colin.knox@haltonhousing.org

If you would like further information please click here to download our Asbestos leaflet or visit the Health and Safety Executive website.  If we do find the need to write to you following a survey a letter will be sent that can be accessed via this link

What are we doing?

Our teams of tradesmen, and our appointed contractors, who work in your homes are fully qualified and have received Asbestos Awareness training to ensure you and they stay safe during any repairs or improvement works.

We are continuing to undertake surveys of our homes, shops, offices and communal areas to confirm the whereabouts and condition of any asbestos.

The information we collect will help us decide whether to remove, treat or monitor the asbestos. In most cases in domestic homes, monitoring is preferred to prevent unnecessary disturbance of the asbestos.

Our surveys range from a visual check to a full intrusive search of the home where asbestos samples are removed for further analysis. In most cases samples either contain no asbestos or a very low level posing no risk to your health.

Where is asbestos in my home?

Materials containing asbestos can be found almost anywhere within the home or building.

Some of the most common places are listed below: